-The Best Type of Medicine-
(Bate / Atticus / Meta)
Waking up to see the disappointed look on his student’s face was something Bate wasn’t expecting. The last time he talked to him, he was in Pop Star. He didn’t recall him mentioning he was going to visit. Thinking back, when was the last time he talked to him?
Yesterday…? No that can’t be. It takes Meta at least 2 or 3 days to travel all the way to Kalmari. But he remembered just taking to him. It was in the afternoon, right after he hung up. Arthur called soon after and….asked him to......
Babysit.
Arthur asked him to babysit!!
Just then, he started to remember. He remembered waking up to go to his appointment, he remembered suddenly having a coughing fit and then….
“Atticus….” Bate spoke in a low, hoarse voice. “Where’s-“
“He’s fine.” Meta answered, inching closer to the hospital bed. “In fact, if it wasn’t for him, you could’ve died.” He spoke rather harsh as the color of his eyes started to shift colors.
“Died?” He repeated, and noticed he wasn’t in his room. The noise of beeping machines, several cords and wires attached to him, and an oxygen mask strapped to his face finally caught his attention. Bate knew where his was at, and just the thought of the events prior to waking up just now caused a small shiver down his spine. Meta was furious, and Bate could clearly sense it.
“Teacher.” His voice was stern like how Bate once was anytime he scolded him as a child. He surly knew it wasn’t fun having the roles reversed, and the younger puff could tell. Meta lifted up his mask, and gave a agitated sigh from it all. Although he was glad his mentor was safe, he knew he had to say something to prevent another incident like this.
“I talked to Mends, and he told me you rescheduled your appointment at the last moment.” He spoke, glancing at the elder who refused to look at him. “He said he pressed his concerns over the phone since your readings have been getting progressively lower that month.”
Again, Bate did’t speak.
Meta gripped the rails of the hospital bed in frustration and reached up to rub his temples. He didn't expect his anger to rise so quickly but....
"Do you realize how worried everyone's been once they received the news? Do you know how long it took me to calm Kirby down once he heard you were in the hospital? And Atticus? He's been crying nonstop! Falspar's been looking over him until Arthur returned, but even he had a hard time coaxing him."
Meta gave an exasperated sigh and eventually sat back down. With is pent up anger out of the way from the past several days, he started to lower his voice as he spoke in a gentler tone.
“Teacher, I-“
“O-Ouuuuujiii!” A small voice called as the door of the hospital room flung open. Meta focused his attention to Arthur, Petta, and Atticus rushing in. The Leo was the first to Bate’s bed, and with a small sigh, Meta figured it wasn’t the time to lecture his mentor. He sunk himself back in his chair and watched as Petta helped Atticus up to see his grandfather.
“O-oujiiii, you’re okay!” His voice was that of sheer relief. “I…I was so worried…..” He spoke, hugging him.
Bate embraced the small figure. Quivering in his grasp, Bate couldn’t help but feel ashamed for causing this whole mishap. “Atticus I....” His voice hitched. No words can describe how grateful he was. Like Meta said, he probably be dead if it weren’t for him. How could he even start to express such gratitude. With a soft whisper, the elder apologized to his grandson.
“I’m so sorry putting you through this entire ordeal.” He spoke, “I’m sure you were terrified when you saw me on the floor and……”
The whole room went quiet as not only was Atticus listening, but everyone else as well.
“I promise I will try my absolute hardest so this never happens again.” He said, knowing full well he’d have to make a lot of changes on his part so he’s able to take better care of himself.
“P-promise?” He looked up.
"Cross my heart." He warmly smiled at the toddler.
Petta couldn't help but give a sigh of relief when she saw how happy Atticus became. He's been crying and worrying nonstop, it was a sight for sore eyes to see him back to his old self. She brushed up against Arthur and took his hand. "How about we take a walk for a few minutes? Atticus wanted me to bring a little get well gift for him. Besides, I don't think Atticus is willing to leave any time soon."
Arthur glanced at Atticus happily talking to Bate snugged in his arms. Yeah, she's right. Atticus has always been very clingy to Bate. After this incident and all the tears he shed, suddenly pulling him away would be a horrible thing to do.
"Meta." He spoke, "How about you join us as well."
From his chair, Meta raised a brow. "Why?"
Such an oblivious warrior. Arthur shook his head, motioning him to look at Bate. Eventually, Meta caught on and gave a reluctant sigh. He stood up and walked towards the couple. "Teacher, I'll be back in a bit. Arthur, Petta and I need to get something."
"Dad, could I stay with O-Oujiiii, please?" He said, not wanting to leave his side.
Arthur looked at Bate and received a nod of approval. "Yes, just behave while we're gone."
"I will!" He smiled and nuzzled his grandfather.
Once the trio exited the room, Arthur slightly nudged his comrade. "My son sorta reminds me how you used to behave when Teacher Bate fell ill. I mean, you still worry like no tomorrow, but I don't think you'll be able to fit in the hospital bed anymore." He joked.
"Just be glad someone in this family is as clingy as Atticus. If not, this hospital visit would have been less than pleasant." He spoke, still troubled by the situation. Once hearing that, Arthur's pace started to slow and eventually came to a stop. He faced Meta, equally troubled by his response. They knew out of everyone, he was dealing with it the hardest. From behind, Petta picked up on Arthur and Meta and decided to go on ahead and leave the two warriors to talk. She figured it would be for the best since they haven't properly talked since the incident.
Soft footsteps soon became echos in the empty hallway. After much time has passed, Arthur spoke.
"You were always so very protective of Teacher, huh?" Arthur tiredly leaned against one of the wall as he remember their younger days. "I remember when we were kids, you always worried when Teacher wasn't feeling well. Any little thing that felt off worried you. When he coughed, when he had trouble keeping up with us, when he had to go to the doctor- You'd stay by his side and wouldn't leave until he reassured you enough to go. I....used to be so annoyed by your clingy-ness, but I suppose if it wasn't for that protectiveness you have for Teacher, maybe this would have been a whole different scenario."
The warrior sighed, and faced the younger Puff. "Thank you, Meta. I know how scared you must have been when Atticus told you he wasn't waking up. You helped him get through a very difficult situation and I really do appreciate all you've done. Every time I see Atticus with Teacher Bate, part of me sees a bit of your worrisome nature in him. It's made me realize that maybe I should've been just as protective too. I knew he wasn't feeling well, and yet I still asked him to watch over Atticus. I...should've known better. If you were in my position, you'd make sure he was okay rather than do what I selfishly did. I suppose Teacher Bate isn't the only one who needs to change...."
Meta turned away, giving a small shrug in return. "I'm not here to watch over him anymore. I try to call him everyday but if an urgent incident like what happened a few days back occurs, my phone call won't be of any help. I'm glad Atticus was able to save him in time, and....I'm relived to know that you'll be looking out for him as well. Just, please promise me you'll be there for him....he's the only one we have left."
"Y-yeah...." Arthur sadly spoke, realizing his mentor was truly the only one they had. "I'll do my best to watch over him. Which may be hard, you know he doesn't like it when we worry about him."
"I feel like he'll make an exception from now on." He said, heading back to the room once he spotted Petta enter the hallway. "I'll give you an update since I'll be staying with him for another few weeks once he's released."
"If anyone could break his stubborn nature, I'm sure you'll be the one. You're one in the same....though maybe you can be a bit more hardheaded, though" He teased, and waited for Petta before walking in.
All three saw Atticus happily coloring while Bate quietly watched. The pair looked up when they entered, and Atticus squealed in delight when he saw his mother holding the item he requested. He pointed to it while looking up at Bate.
"I asked Momma to bring these for you. Do you like them, O-Oujiiii, I grew them myself!"
"Oh, Atticus, they're lovely." He gently touched the petal of one when Petta placed it across from him. "You know, I think I'm feeling better already."
"Wa, really!!" He beamed in excitement and looked at the Leo. "Did you hear, Momma?!! My gift's helping!"
"Yes, dear, you did a lovely job." She softly spoke, picking up the small child from the bed. "But even with your flowers, if you want your grandfather to recover, he needs to rest."
Before Atticus had time to rebut, Arthur walked over and lightly patted his head. "Your mother's right. It's been a hectic day for him so let's head back home and we'll visit again later tomorrow."
"Awwww, alright...." He softly whined and wiggled out of Petta's grasp to hug him goodbye. "Could I visit tomorrow, O-Oujii?"
"Of course you can." Bate hugged him back and handed him off to Arthur. "Thank you for visiting, it's made my day so much better."
Arthur smiled back and gave a nod to Meta which he returned. Atticus gave a small wave to his Uncle before settling in his father's arms as he was quite tired as well. Meta quietly waited until everyone left before focusing on his teacher again. Although he wasn't as frustrated like he was earlier today, he still felt the need to at least address what happened.
"So about earlier...." Meta started, looking at the elder. "You...ummm....I mean....did you...ah....." He started to become tongue tied when he saw how sad his teacher looked once his lecture began.
Ah, darn it.....
"Just....be sure to keep your promise to Atticus." He softly mumbled, not wanting to ruin his teacher's evening. "And not only to him, but to Kirby and everyone else. They're....all worried about you. We...all are."
It was then Bate heard small sniffles coming from the Puff. Even if his mask was hiding the tears, he knew Meta well enough to know he's just as protective and cautious as his toddler years. Reaching over, he lifted his mask to wipe them.
"I...really messed up, didn't I? Gumball, I'm sorry for worrying you. You try so hard to make sure I'm okay even though you live on Pop Star. You've...always been so protective over my health and I know how worried you get when it takes a turn for the worse. But this time, it could've been prevented if I just put more effort and care into it. Meta, the last thing I ever want to do is worry you when we're apart, so I intend to do everything that I can to keep my promise to Atticus."
With the last tear wiped away, Bate settled back in his bed and gave a rather tired sigh of relief. "I don't know if my words will bring peace of mind when you leave, but I hope it does."
"It.....does." Leaning forward, Meta hugged his mentor. "Thank you, Teacher."
With a weak smile, Bate rested his head back on his pillow and decided it was time to finally turn in for the night. "Okay, Gumball, I need to rest now. Head on home and I'll see you in the morning."
Meta only shook his head and sat back on the chair. Bate could only softly chuckle to himself. That warrior of his. Meta....is Meta. He wouldn't dare leave knowing he was in the hospital, so it didn't surprise him in the slightest when he refused to leave.
"Gumball, don't ever change." He whispered, closing his eyes and eventually fell asleep.
Artist Comment:
September 9, 2017
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When Bate's health takes a turn for the worse and he ends up in the hospital, he realizes how much it effects the ones he loves. After seeing not only Atticus, but Meta cry, he'll know he has to work hard so nothing like this ever happens again. u///u
September 9, 2017
-----------------
When Bate's health takes a turn for the worse and he ends up in the hospital, he realizes how much it effects the ones he loves. After seeing not only Atticus, but Meta cry, he'll know he has to work hard so nothing like this ever happens again. u///u
Species © Nintendo/ HAL Laboratory
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem